About
Hi, I’m Claire, born and bred Wiganer, and proud founder of what’s happening in Wigan.
After 26 years working in the mainstream media as a journalist in radio and TV, I realised something was missing. Over the years, I’ve watched the media shrink… I used to work at Rock FM and Wish FM, both now gone, and also got tired of eye rolls in newsrooms whenever I mentioned Wigan.
I’ve always been proud of where I’m from, and always believed Wigan has so much more to offer than bad news.
That’s why I created what’s happening in Wigan – to focus on the good stuff. The things that make us smile, the people making a difference, the businesses doing brilliant things, and the events bringing us together.
You’ll find me on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, and on a twice-monthly podcast, telling real stories from around Wigan, uplifting, heart-warming, inspiring – the kind of things that don’t always make the headlines, but should.
When I started this I wasn’t sure what the reaction would be, but it’s been overwhelming, in a good way.
From my first video on TikTok getting over 70k views in two days, people saying ‘hello’ every day and how much they love watching the videos, to the Facebook page hitting over 700k views in July, it all shows I am doing the right thing, and as Wiganers, we are proud of our hometown.
I am so PROUD to be shining a light on the good in my hometown.
So far I’ve worked with Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls, Wigan Warriors Women at the new Edge Hall Road Community Stadium, Spudlad in Ashton, Daffodils Dreams, and staged a pie battle between Muffin Man and Galloways and many more. I’ve also discovered many things even I didn’t know about Wigan (and am only just getting started).
Wigan and proud, always have been. Even when, at the age of 6, I was in the Wigan Evening Post with my mum and big sister Sarah, (sitting on the kerb outside Derby Wines, waiting for the Queen to arrive in 1977).
And fun fact – I once ended up on a national Tesco Christmas advert after tweeting about our Tesco never having a Christmas hat.
The what’s happening in Wigan podcast will be starting soon, where again, it’s a chance for us all to shout about how good Wigan is, and it’s the everyday heroes I’ll be speaking to.
If you love Wigan or just want more positivity in your feed, you’re in the right place.
And if you’ve got a story or want to get involved, I’d love to hear from you.
